Huddersfield Chronicle (23/Dec/1871) – Correspondence: Where Are the Police?

WHERE ARE THE POLICE?

To the editor of the Huddersfield Daily Chronicle.

Sir,

Being one of those individuals located on the outskirts of the Corporation boundary on Crosland Moor, I sometimes wonder how it is we are so good to find, when the money is wanted for Corporation and other expenses, as the police don’t know there is such a locality, or if they do, they don’t think it their duty to visit it. No doubt the policeman’s duty and beats are properly defined, and perhaps rigidly carried out in the more thickly populated portion of the borough. But the west part of Crosland Moor is greatly neglected by the officials, as will be seen from the following.

On Sunday last the road at Dungeon Wood end was thronged from eleven o’clock in the morning until dusk at night, with a class of men — young and old — who are a disgrace to the age in which we live. There was dog racing, men racing, and gambling, well-seasoned with the most disgusting language, ultimately closing the day with one of the most brutalising “up and down” fights, beating and kicking each other in the most savage manner. The combatants went into one of Messrs. Bentleys’ fields alone, and as one struck or kicked the other he was loudly cheered by the lookers on, who remained on the highway to enjoy the scene. During the whole day no police put in an appearance, and the roughs held quiet possession. We, who reside in the locality, are anxious to know if we are under the protection of the law? If so, who are our protectors?

This road is much frequented by teachers and scholars on Sunday afternoons, at the close of the services, and ought to be as well protected as any other portion of the corporate borough, and if not better attended to by the police must be reported in higher quarters.

Trusting for the insertion of this in your next paper, I remain,

ONE OF THE ANNOYED.
Crosland Moor, 21st December, 1871.

[ Our correspondent is a most respectable gentleman, whose complaint, we are sorry to say, from a personal acquaintance with the district, is not overdrawn. We have no knowledge of the special “up and down” scene he refers to, which appears to have been diversified with dog-racing, gambling, &c. ; but this particular locality has long been the resort of a rough class of society, who find enjoyment in the most brutalising pursuits. To this class of men the Saturday half-holiday is a curse rather than a blessing. — Ed. H.D.C. ]